Bible Pathway - September 16
Read Daniel 4 – 6
Highlights:
Daniel interprets: (1) The tree (4:25). (2) Writing on the wall (5:23-24). (3) Daniel trusts, and honored (6:10,22,28).
And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before Him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt (Dan. 6:20-22).
Due to the wisdom that God had blessed him with, Daniel had found favor in the eyes of the rulers of Babylon. Through his godly discernment, he had been able to interpret the dreams of Nebuchadnezzar, and this had earned him a prominent place in the kingdom.
When the Medo-Persians conquered Babylon, the gift in Daniel was recognized by their rulers. Daniel continued to have an important role, even in this new government. It came to a point that Daniel's authority in the kingdom was second only to the ruler Darius. The Lord had worked greatly in Daniel; it was God who ensured he be in this position just as God had placed Joseph in Egypt. And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house (Acts 7:10).
All the other rulers were jealous of Daniel's office and power in their government. These other rulers desired to find a way to bring Daniel down from his position. They knew this would not be an easy task, as Daniel was a man of great integrity and honesty. They would not be able to catch him in an act of wrongdoing concerning an abuse of power or any other malefaction such as this.
They figured out that the only way they were going to cause Daniel to falter would be because of his service to God. This was the priority of Daniel's life. Therefore, they knew that if something in the Law of Daniel's God were a violation of the law of the Medes and Persians that Daniel would break the law of the land to follow the Law of God. I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before Me (Ex. 20:2-3).
The other rulers tricked the king into passing a law stating that no person could ask anything of any god other than the king. Daniel continued to pray to his God, leaving Darius with no choice but to punish Daniel. The penalty was death in the lion's den. Most of us know the outcome of this punishment.
Daniel came out of the den of lions unharmed. He gave all the glory to God for delivering him out of this perilous situation. As a result, there were probably many of the Medes and Persians who came to a realization that Daniel's God was the only true, living God. Daniel's enemies were executed, and Daniel's place in the government became more secure than ever. Darius made a decree recognizing God.
The lesson to be learned here is simple. If we, as God's people, will do as God commands, then external circumstances will be handled by the Lord. We can trust God to care for us.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose (Rom. 8:28).
Thought for Today:
Praising and thanking God gives Him glory and brings joy to our hearts.
Christ Revealed:
By Daniel – a stone was rolled across the mouth of the den of lions and set with the king's seal (Dan. 6:16-17). There was a stone rolled across the mouth of the cave where Jesus was buried and it too was set with an official seal (Matt. 27:63-66). As Daniel came forth unscathed, proclaiming the power of God to save, so, too, Jesus came forth from the dead proclaiming the saving power of God (Rev. 1:18).
Word Study:
4:11 the sight thereof to, its visibility extended to; 4:16 & 32 seven times, seven years; 5:5 against the candlestick, opposite the lampstand; 5:12 shewing of hard sentences, rare ability of revealing the meaning of baffling riddles.
Prayer Suggestion: Pray for your adversaries (Ps. 109:4).
Optional Reading: Revelation 21
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 145:10
